partagas 898 var vs unv

[tydra]

Hi Everyone,

Is there any real difference between varnished and unvarnished partagas 898s?

[Colt45]

Two different sizes, and though I've not had the unvarnished, presumably two different blends.

[Michel1968]

I have smoked both but can't compare as the UV was 10 years of age while my 'oldest' varnished was only 3 years old...

[tydra]

Thanks Colt and Michel,

I had tried a stick from a var 10 box and was so impressed, I went and bought a box of 25 unv. I guess I was so excited, I forgot that I heard that they were different (bought the 25 box unopened).

I'll try one from the unv tonight and see.

[Michel1968]

Tydra, you can't go wrong with the Unvarnished... these are very nice smokes indeed although sometimes a tad bitchy where draw in concerned.

[Colt45]

I'll try one from the unv tonight and see.

Let us know your thoughts - these were discontinued in the early 2000s.

[mash]

I have found the UV to be milder. Great cigar.

[Smallclub]

Tydra, you can't go wrong with the Unvarnished...

I would have said the exact opposite; odds to get a bad box are rather high with the unvarnished…

[Michel1968]

I would have said the exact opposite; odds to get a bad box are rather high with the unvarnished…

I have too little experience with the unvarnished to agree or disagree. So far I smoked from three different boxes, 'taste wise' I liked them all, 'draw wise' sometimes a major let down. I guess it's a bit along the way as Pigfish describes the H.Upmann Lonsdales. Once you accept you got to work for it, it's not that bad...

[BonVivant]

I have too little experience with the unvarnished to agree or disagree. So far I smoked from three different boxes, 'taste wise' I liked them all, 'draw wise' sometimes a major let down. I guess it's a bit along the way as Pigfish describes the H.Upmann Lonsdales. Once you accept you got to work for it, it's not that bad...

From 898 boxes, there was a problem with only one cigar throughout - Ramon Allones 898 '00 Varnished

[fattires]

Hi Everyone,

Is there any real difference between varnished and unvarnished partagas 898s?

I found the unvarnished very similar to the Lusi at the time, but in a better vitola. My all time favorite.

[tydra]

Will do Colt. Already tried one last night but had to cut the mouth end a few times till I got a reasonable pull. The cigar was quite tight though I tried massaging it a couple of times.

I won't judge the flavors now as they were very muted due to the tight roll, but as fattires said, it does remind me of a lusi.

I've dryboxed another for the day. I'm hoping the pull will improve when I light it up tonight. I'll keep you posted.

[tydra]

Well, as I mentioned, I dryboxed another uv for a day last night and what a difference.

To be honest, even though lusis definitely deserve their reputation, I'm more partial to spicier, sweeter cigars, and the uv delivered; it reminded me of a more powerful, more intense and a much bigger version of a 96 partagas short I had a couple of months back. Very pungent flavors in the mouth, earthy, mushroomy, and a hint of clover/cinnamon; a very nice nicotine buzz to it as well. There was quite a bit of evolution to it too, which I hadn't really experienced in the lusis, shorts, d4s, p2s and 898 vs that I've tried till now.

In short, I'm glad I accidentally hit upon these gems. Would have posted the box code but didn't find any on the box.

[Michel1968]

In short, I'm glad I accidentally hit upon these gems. Would have posted the box code but didn't find any on the box.

Located on the cardboard cover (if available...). Good to read you liked them!

[BonVivant]

Partagas 898 unvarnished are classics.

Please, try some PSD4s, P2s from Partagas factory recent production and Lusitanias from 2008 - you will be pleasantly surprised, IMHO.

[tydra]

Unfortunately, I was only able to get my hands on the actual box, not the carton one.

I guess my next purchase will be as you suggested Bonvivant, it will be a while though, I've pratically wiped myself out with buying all the boxes available of some of my favorite discontinued cigars liek the punch rs11,12, ss1 and BCE :-) Though I do have a couple of boxes of 10 898v from late 08 that as you say are much better than my older P2s, D4s and lusis.